Six changes against Georgia but Jalibert-Ntamack confirmed

Five changes in front, only one behind which concerns neither Matthieu Jalibert, nor Romain Ntamack. Fabien Galthié delivered this Friday to Marcoussis his XV of France for Sunday’s match against Georgia in Bordeaux, eight days after the grueling success over Argentina (29-20).

Promised, it is not a question of preserving a few players, six days before the exciting shock against the All Blacks. “There is no management, we develop skills, collective experiences, asserts the coach. If a player starts titular, it is in the name of his rugby, of his career. “

Take Uini Atonio for example. The only newcomer in the group of 23 compared to the test against the Pumas, the Rochelais massif signs a resounding return. “Today, at the post of right pillar, it is the number 1, the holder,” says Galthié, who highlighted his experience (31 years, 37 selections) and his performance with La Rochelle.

Initially forfeited for this autumn tour because of a muscle injury, Atonio recovered at the speed of Cheslin Kolbe, to play from last weekend in Top 14 against Union Bordeaux-Bègles and therefore find the Blues. Aligned against Argentina, “Momo” Houas slips into the reserve column, while Demba Bamba remains a substitute.

Woki, unpublished 2nd line

The 2nd row is completely renewed, with the Willemse-Flament pair which goes from “starters” to “finishers”, to take up the French newspeak. Romain Taofifenua will start on Sunday alongside the usual 3rd row Cameron Woki, who slips to the position of n ° 4, where he never evolves with Union Bordeaux-Bègles. “He is a touch captain, has a hybrid profile. You have to go to the end of your intuitions, ”explained Galthié, invited to comment on this tactical subtlety so typical of French rugby.

In the third row, Anthony Jelonch slips on a wing, which allows Grégory Alldritt to find his No. 8 and flanker Sekou Makalou to also join the starting team.

Behind it is much calmer, and alone the Toulousain Matthis Lebel (first selection) is once again on a wing, to let Gabin Villière breathe. No touch to the Jalibert association in 10 – Ntamack in 12, despite a messed up first attempt and quickly cut short. “There is no evidence, but intuitions, risks, feelings and an organization to build, analyzed“ Professor ”Galthié. They played 50 minutes together with maybe a feeling of incomplete. We start again with one more week of work, experience, analysis, that should help us to be more efficient. “

“Romain knows he has to improve”

The coach then took out the stats to justify the contribution of one and the other, referred to a case law Melvyn Jaminet after the first test in Australia – “you claimed his head”, he told reporters present at the CNR – and slipped all the same a message specially addressed to Ntamack: “Romain knows that he must improve in his game, his communication with Matthieu. But it’s a team that has to operate with a slightly different organization. To prove that the said organization can be viable against the New Zealand ogres.


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